Although previously posted elsewhere, it is appropriate for reposting in this Forum: The battle for Italy, forgotten by so many, is summed up well by Field-Marshal Alexander in his own words: "Any estimate of the value of the campaign must be expressed, not in terms of the ground gained, for the ground was not vital, in the strict sense, either to us or to the enemy, but in terms of its effect on the war as a whole. The Allied Armies in Italy were not engaged with the enemy's main armies and their attacks were not directed, as were those of the Allies in the west or the Russians in the east, against the heart of the German Fatherland and the nerve-centres of Germany's national existence. Our role was subordinate and preparatory. Ten months before the great assault in the west our invasion of Italy, at first in very moderate strength, drew off to that remote quarter forces that might have turned the scale in France. As the campaign progressed more and more German troops were drawn in to oppose us. The supreme directors of Allied strategy were always careful to see that our strength was never allowed to grow above the minimum necessary for our tasks; at one time and another during those 20 months no less than 21 divisions in all were removed from my command for the benefit of other theatres. The Germans made no comparable detachments. Except for a short period in the spring of 1944 they had always more formations in Italy than we had, and we made such good use of that brief exceptional period that in the summer of 1944, the crisis of the war, they found themselves forced to divert eight divisions to this secondary theatre. At that time, when the value of our strategic contribution was at its greatest, 55 German divisions were tied down in the Mediterranean by the threat, actual or potential, presented by our armies in Italy. The record of the comparative casualties tells us the same story. On the German side they amounted to 536,000. Allied casualties were 312,000. The difference is the more remarkable in that we were always the attackers. Four times we carried out that most difficult operation of war, an amphibÂious landing. Three times we launched a prepared offensive with the full strength of an army group. Nowhere in Europe did soldiers face more difficult terrain or more determined adversaries. The conclusion is that the campaign in Italy fulfilled its strategic mission."
Hopefully the Italian campaign is getting more recognition. I'm basing this on a casual observation of the increasing number of books covering Monte Cassino, the 8th army etc, now this is still tiny compaired to the recent downpour of D-day related editions but is hopefully a move in the right direction. Ali
There are more books out now on Italy. Mark Zuehlke is a one-man band on the Canadians in Italy, and I've seen a new book on Rome and a new one on Cassino. And I found another useful book, "The War North of Rome," on the whole forgotten portion of the campaign, everything after Mark Clark's arrival in the Eternal City. It's actually fascinating stuff, complete with Brazilians.
Hello: It seems a shame that sometimes the Italian front and Southern France seem to be forgotten. My dad was a combat engineer and fought from Sicily, then onto to Naples/Foggia Campaign, Anzio, onto Rome/Arno, then landed on the beaches of Southern France for Operation Anvil/Dragoon, up through France and was in the Ardennes/Alsace Campaign and finished out the last days of the war in Germany and was finally shipped home in November of 1945. I created a website that is dedicated to him and his fellow VI Corps Combat Engineers. I have been doing extensive research and have read several good books. You should try reading: A Half Acre of Hell - by Avis Schrorer - Galde Press Incorporated - This is the story of Avis Schrorer, a combat nurse in WWII. A lot of the book covers the struggle for Anzio Dogfaces who Smiled Through Tears In World War II - Homer R Ankrum - Graphic Publishing Company - This book chronicles the heartbreaks, hardships, heroics, and humor of the North African and Italian Campaigns of the Redbull (34th Infantry Division) Rock of Anzio - Flint Whitlock - An intimate account of the 45th Division from Anzio to the liberation of Dachau - Flint Whitlock is a frequent contributor to WWII Magazine Fatal Decision - Anzio & the Battle for Rome - Carlo Este - HarperCollins Publisher - This book is currently out of print, but can still be found Riviera to the Rhine - The European Theatre - US Army in WWII - Authors: Jeffrey J. Clarke and Robert Ross Smith - Publisher: The National Historical Society - The book covers the invasion of Southern France and examines the 6th Army Group, and the two armies under General Devers' leadership; the 7th Army led by General Alexander M. Patch and the French 1st Army under the leadership of General Jean de Lattre de Tassingny That should give you a good start. I have a friend who runs a great site and you can find it at: The Italian Campaign It is my hope and desire to bring more knowledge about these campaigns and their importance to the war effort. War like anything else is never linear and one battle depends upon the outcome of another, all contributing to the BIG picture.
Nice website Marion; I think we have emailed each other before? You are certainly on my links page! My own dad was in 24th Field Regiment RA at Anzio, on the Gothic Line and in the River Po battle. I have an Italy Battlefields section on my WW2 site at: http://battlefieldsww2.50megs.com/italy.htm
Hello Marion, Always pleased to see someone who like me is intent on raising the profile of the Ialian Campaign. My particular area is Sicily and Operation Husky. I visited your website and tried to sign the guestbook - no luck. Will return to it later. Colin.
Welcome to the Forum Marion,your input is much appreciated. With all the stresses and strains, from sources other than the enemy, to which the Italian Campaign was subject during its almost two years, it would not have reached a successful conclusion but for the efforts by men of so many different nationalities. Those who rest forever in Italian soil should be remembered always. While the lessons learned at Dieppe and from the invasion of Sicily were put to good use by the planners of Overlord, rarely are those stemming from the latter acknowledged. Regrettably, along with Burma, Italy has become a Forgotten Campaign. Gerry
I think that Marion's website is excellent. For those interested in the Italian campaign may I recommend the following books: Battleaxe Division by Ken Ford (Sutton 1999). An excellent account of what was one of the best British infantry divisions of the war. Clear The Way! by Richard Doherty (Irish Academic Press 1993). A history of 38 (Irish) Brigade which served as part of 78th Division. This is an outstanding formation history and is well illustrated. Front of the Line by Colin Gunner (Greystone Books 1991). Gunner served with the Irish Brigade, having transferred from 1st Kensingtons, the support battalion of 78th Division. Richard Doherty has also written Only the Enemy in Front (Tom Donovan 1994), a history of The Reconnaissance Corps; A Noble Crusade (Spellmount 1999), a history of the Eighth Army; The North Irish Horse (Spellmount 2002), a history of an outstanding Irish yeomanry regiment that fought in tanks in Italy; and Ireland's Generals (Four Courts Press 2004), a study of 19 Irish generals - from Brigadier to Field Marshal - many of whom served in Italy.
